The mini-pterosaur was found by Jana Passova

Scientists have a new find about pterodactyls. They have known that it was small, toothless and had a curved toe. But they did not know how small could be the smallest member of this group. There was discovered a sparrow sized creature which lived on a tree and this showed an interesting side of history of pterodactyls. The mini-pterosaur had a wingspan only about 10 inches which is 25 centimeters. Pterodactyls spent most of time of their lives on tree. This was enabled by the curved toe. Scientists suppose pterodactyls eaten insects because of the lack of teeth. Pterodactyl is the best known dinosaur from all giant examples of the ancient reptiles which were able to fly. The new fossil type was found in the western part of China's Liaoning province. It was named Nemicolopterus crypticus. It lived in this forested region nearly 120 million years ago. This pterosaur lived inside of the continent. It is the smallest member of the group of flying animals. First scientists thought it was just a baby. But later they found out that all the bones of the body were developed. There is no idea how big these animals could be at the adult age. This is new information for scientists which is opening a new side of the evolutionary history of those creatures. Scientists are happy also because of the fact that to find fossils of these animals is really hard. It is caused with the fact they were able to fly. There have been found some smaller specimens before but these were much younger than Nemicolopterus crypticus. The small creature might provide knowledge about the evolution of more massive pterosaurs which came later.

by Jana Passova for PocketNews (http://pocketnews.tv)

PocketNews is a new real-time news broadcaster delivering the latest and hottest news right to your pocket ! With global clients who want to be kept up to date, PocketNews is everyone's way of keeping in touch with the World.